Nurses use of Glasgow coma scale in neurological assessment of patients in university of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City Edo State , Nigeria

Abstract

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a reliable tool in assessing patients' level of consciousness. This study assessed nurses' use of GCS for neurological assessment of patients in a tertiary health facility in Edo state. Descriptive, cross-sectional study of all nurses (226) working in wards/units where unconscious patients are nursed. Data were collected using researchers' developed and pre-tested questionnaire and an observational check-list. Data were summarized using proportions and means. Hypotheses were tested using ANOVA at P=0.05 level of significance. Only 23.4% of the respondents have used the GCS, with significant (p>0.05) differences in usage between the wards/units. Nurses working in A&E had the highest usage (66.7%); while those in neurological ward and ICU expressed more confidence in usage. Lack of continuing clinical education/updates on GCS, and lack of enforcement of GCS use in assessment were the major factors contributing to non-use of GCS by nurses.

Keywords: Glasgow coma scale, Unconscious patients, Neurological assessment